145

LIFE'S ASSURANCE.

'Tvvas a wild dream !—I had grown old—

Dim was my aching sight—and cold

The blood that crept, in languid course,

Through each dried vein. Tired Nature's force

Was spent; yet, yet I longed to live—

To mingle in earth's crowd—to give

Another sigh, another tear,

To those who were by kindred dear—

To those my heart best loved. I wept,

In the dark thought that Time had swept,

Remorseless, many a blooming flower,

The sunshine of my spirit's hour

Of happiness, away !—Alone

I wandered forth : no soothing tone—

No blessing breathed, in accents dear—

No " Speed thee, Heaven !" to charm and cheer—

Was mine. I came—and went; a sigh

Hailed me with its sad minstrelsy ;

L